by Linda Straker
- 30 firearms confiscated during 2023
- Firearm amnesty initiative began on 1 May
- As of May, Grenada recorded 9 homicides, with 8 classified as murder
For the first 5 months of 2024, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RPGF) confiscated almost the same number of illegal firearms seized for the year 2023. To date they have confiscated over 25 illegal firearms, while an unknown number has been turned over to law enforcement through the firearm amnesty initiative which began on 1 May.
“To date we have more than EC$5 million worth of drug seizures, greater interdiction and seizures of firearms and the total this year thus far is over 25,” said Superintendent Esau Pierre, Officer in Charge of crimes and operations.
During a sitting of the House of Representatives in March 2024, Prime Minister and Minister for National Security Hon. Dickon Mitchell told the House that 30 firearms were confiscated during the year 2023.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, 27 May 2024, Pierre said that the RGPF is committed to utilising all its resources to combat the growing gun violence. He also disclosed that as of May, Grenada recorded 9 homicides, with 8 classified as murder.
Three of the homicides are directly related to gun violence which occurred during May, the same month that a gun amnesty initiative was enforced. The goal of the amnesty is for people with illegal firearms in their possession to turn them in and not face criminal charges.
The 3 killings were done by masked men in various areas in the parish of St George, police arrested and charged 3 young men for the offences; one is facing 2 capital murder charges.
From 2019 to 2023, police confiscated 68 illegal firearms, while from 2022 to 2023 a total of 78 people were arrested and charged for firearm or firearm-related offences.
Hitler banned gun ownership for all non Nazis, guess why?
In the same press conference, the police revealed that all the homicides this year have been solved. This is very important information left out from this article.